Guardian (2018)

I'm not ready.

For the past 18 months I have watched and re-watched Guardian three times. Every time I stop watching I'm theast four episodes. I once saw a spoiler that broke my heart and really put me off, because it screamed, "TRAGIC ENDING".

I think I'm ready now, for that ending. Although it will be painful and give me puffy eyes, I'll still watch it. I have to and you have to if you're reading this review.

Everything leading up to the last few episodes is amazing. The characters are funny and sweet and caring and such a lovely little family, that I'll make the finale all the more special. Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are soulmates and Zhu Yilong and Bai Yu really worked hard to show that to the audience. Even though this is hella censored (what with the obvious script changes when character's mouths, voices and words don't match and along with the bts parts that should have been added to make the show 10x better), they did the best with what they were given.

It's time to say goodbye.

If you read this review: watch the show or don't watch the show. Idk. Idc. But I know I'm gonna re-watch everything for the 4th time and finish it. Then come back here and write all about it.

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Contains Spoilers

The best story and cast. Everyone was perfect for their roles. I knew the end even before I watched it, but, it was too addicting and sad. Even if Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan died in the end, I was glad that they will meet again, in reincarnation. I want Ye Zun to reincarnate along with his brother, so he would live his life with his brother, even if couldn't, in his previous life. Just a little bit of misunderstanding led to tragedies of ten thousand years. I feel sorry for Ye Zun, too. He doesn't deserve such life. He just wanted his brother by his side. And the bond of Yunlan's team is what is was heart-touching. They were ready to die for each other, but, they lost their leader in the end. I can't describe in words how I felt while watching it. It was so heart-breaking in the end. But, some not every story have a good end.

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Guardian

Encontrar um drama que não apenas nos envolve, mas também nos conquista de maneira profunda é uma verdadeira joia. "Guardian" (2018) é um desses tesouros que não só prenderam minha atenção, mas também ganharam um pedaço do meu coração.

Desde o primeiro episódio, fui transportado para um mundo que mistura os mistérios do sobrenatural com os dramas da vida real. A trama habilmente tecida entre a realidade moderna e a mitologia antiga cria uma experiência única que é ao mesmo tempo emocionante e intrigante. A medida que somos apresentados ao carismático detetive Zhao Yunlan e ao enigmático professor Shen Wei, fica claro que há muito mais do que aparenta. Cada episódio se desdobra como uma jornada emocional que nos leva a explorar os segredos do passado, as conexões profundas entre os personagens e os desafios que enfrentam.

O que realmente define "Guardian" à parte são os relacionamentos complexos e interligados entre os personagens. A relação entre Zhao Yunlan e Shen Wei é uma montanha-russa de emoções, um exemplo perfeito de amizade, lealdade e sacrifício. Cada olhar trocado e cada palavra dita carrega um significado profundo, nos lembrando que os sentimentos transcendem as barreiras do tempo e da existência.

A cinematografia deslumbrante e os efeitos visuais bem executados contribuem para a atmosfera mágica do drama. Cada cena é cuidadosamente construída para nos imergir no mundo sobrenatural de maneira convincente, enquanto as cenas de ação são coreografadas com maestria, adicionando um toque de adrenalina à narrativa.

"Guardian" é mais do que uma série; é uma experiência que captura nossa imaginação e nossas emoções. Eu encontrei-me ansiando por cada novo episódio, absorvendo cada momento como se fosse um tesouro precioso. Este drama chinês não só conquistou um lugar especial na minha lista de favoritos, mas também tocou meu coração de maneira profunda e duradoura.

Em um mundo repleto de dramas, "Guardian" (2018) se destaca como uma pérola rara que merece ser apreciada por todos os amantes de histórias cativantes. Se você procura um drama que mistura o real e o mágico, os mistérios do passado com as emoções do presente, não procure mais. "Guardian" é uma jornada inesquecível que ficará com você muito além do último episódio.

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I really wanted to love this show... I wanted to be like "wow this show was is so underrated and amazing" only to find out... I was so wrong. Lol I know everyone says the book was so much better -- and even though I haven't read it, I'm almost 100% sure I would agree with them.

Guardian started out promising and kept me interested for a little bit but sadly a little less than half way through, I started falling asleep through episodes. Even though I kept dozing off, you'd think I'd miss some important information but I never did. Lol I think it didn't start getting good again until the last 3 episodes and even I'm at a loss for those because I felt like I was tripping balls. Were they supposed to be so cut scene like that? I don't understand. It jumped all over the place so many times I had to keep asking myself "what the hell just happened? What is happening?!"
I can even look past the awful CGI.. That is nothing compared to the neckbreak speed of jumping scenes they have. I felt lost way to much and it annoyed the hell out of me

I feel like this show could have been so much better. The actors all played their parts so well and I know it's not their fault they were handed a shitty script. But damn, they were robbed. Lol. They made it work though, the best they could.

That ending was a mess. A emotional gosh damn mess and I feel like it robbed everyone. The actors, the watchers... everything. That was bullshit.

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Okay, this drama is hard to review for me. I really, REALLY loved the main characters and the actors who played them. Loved their chemistry. Loved the concepts presented in the show (even if they were different from the novel, which I have started a little bit of but haven't finished). I also think it started off a lot stronger than they ended it. There were so many things that I think they should've done just a little differently that would've made it so much better in the end. I had to have spoilers in here to be able to talk about some of those things.

*~*SPOILERS AHEAD*~*
1. Let's see...firstly get your story straight on whether Shen Wei actually waited for 10,000 years or if he was "asleep" till close to the present. I think the story is so much more impactful if he was awake for that time, since he did say he waited for Zhao Yunlan for 10,000 years. Kind of in relation to that, the show made it seem like he only knew him for one day and then he proceeded to wait for him for 10,000 years. I think it might have subtly hinted that Zhao Yunlan spent more than one day in the past, but if so, it definitely wasn't clear.

2. Almost everything about Ye Zun lol. Like, he had such potential. And it wasn't fair for him to look like that (Zhu Yilong you handsome man!). His backstory, though, wasn't built up enough for me. Like, what were his motives really? I would rather have had a lot more happen in the past between him and Shen Wei. But even then, I thought they were going to go the brother complex route and they didn't exactly, because once Shen Wei was dead (sort of), Ye Zun kind of just moved on? Idk...and don't get me started on his powers. He sucked up people through his nose? and they were just hanging out inside of him alive until they were sloooowwwlyy digested/consumed? Okay I'm circling back to the fact that after reaching adulthood (10,000 years in the past), Ye Zun and Shen Wei had one interaction. One. ONE. Why was Shen Wei so convicted against his brother and the fact that he was evil and whatnot? Idk man. They should have stretched out the past episodes more and developed a better backstory.

3. Okay, I just got to the end of my review and then I remembered this point that I can't go without mentioning. Why...whyyyy did the undergrounder that was in Zhao Yunlan's dad have to take Zhao Yunlan's body in the end? I did not like that at all. Like, could he have not gone into any other dead body? I'm not sure the logistics (because nothing in this show makes sense), but. It seems like it wasn't absolutely necessary that he take his body. Anyway...now that's just a complaint. But I really didn't like it.
*~*END OF SPOILERS*~*

Okay, I have much more, but at this point, not sure if I being helpful or just listing every little thing I didn't like about it. I will end this review by saying that even with the show's flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it! Like, you might have to suspend your disbelief for a lot of it, because a lot of things don't make sense. BUT. The characters and their relationships (mainly Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan) are so good. Like, I loved all their interactions. And I loved Zhu Yilong and Bai Yu who played them. Loved it.

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My random thoughts about this series after watching it on youtube under yoyo.
Firstly, story wise it’s all good knowing that it is beyond science and lil bit of fantasy. I’m a hardcore bl fan (Mainly Thai). Binge-watched chinese bl dramas and most of the time adaptations are far from their original manhua due to china’s policy. This right here is one of example, many Chinese bl has a depressing ending though this one right here I don’t know how you’ll react on the end part but I reacted as genuinely contented due to the fact that they diverted the story however provided justice for ML/MC til the end.
Second, the main lead lovers are so damn adorable ? though (spoiler) kissing, hugging and other intimate scenes can’t be found in the series yet words of affirmations are there to supplement their love story. And that my friend is a huge turn on cause it makes more manly which is hard to come by in real world of straight men being bended due to love. Though the relationship labeling was downgraded to special friendship that’s how it is in reality if two men are straight and started to have feelings for each other. None of them will confess truthfully to each other yet you can see their eyes ? kissing ? and this is where the words of affirmation comes in. ??‍♂️
Third, actors were so damn good!!!! A lot of cry babies and scenes that will pull you through the entire series and how premature love grow from regular friendship to ——-hmm special friendship hehe *boozooo not gonna spoil the fun*
Forth, PLOT TWIST is so damn good :) along with how the both Main Lead meet each other for the first time and how memories turns to reality.

Side note: this is a chinese bl and is restricted to some intimate scenes of boys love. So Ur imagination is your limit . ???
I totally enjoyed this series though it’s not like other BL series that gives you ideal stories like TharnType- 2gether - WhyRYou- Sotus and other Hardcore BLs out there but if you grasp the true meaning of love and let your imagination run along with reality bites then this is for you my friend .

BONUS ? :::::
There are two bl couple in this story so better find out who and drop it on the reply section ?

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Best acting bl drama ever!

This is not the first bl drama I ever watch Busy is the first one make me stay and wow I can’t tell you have much I love it because I have all the love sick sentiments my heart beat fast with excitement every time a episode came out. Bai Yu and Yi long chemistry is undeniable.
The acting was too-notch, both of them is are such amazing actors. I’m a guardian girl! I’m been following all their dramas ever since. I wish hope dream that they have another drama like this together and I heard it might came true with silent reading because the characters sound like them.

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Good but could have been great

The first twenty episodes were really impressive, but the standard drops somewhat in the second half of the series despite some really ingenious scenes. The scene where the characters start showing a split personality is hilarious, and I see it as the equivalent of showing a hidden middle finger and making a face behind the back of the censors.

It's a pity that some Chinese productions seem to have the potentials to make BL dramas that would easily put the bulk of Thai and other BL dramas to shame but are hampered by ridiculous censorship laws. Still, the entire Guardian team has managed to pull of something quite stunning for 39 episodes. The BL elements from the source material are removed but one does not even have to fantasize about the love the two main characters have for each other because it's so darn obvious despite not being directly expressed. Including obvious supernatural elements under the pretext that everything can be explained by science (even if science can't already explain it) is clever and almost pushes the series to the level of satire, but this is never blatant. Unfortunately, the ending was a bit of a disappointment--it's not very clear what is going on and it seems hurried. The plot is also less well developed in the second half and has some plot holes that could have been avoided because they are just minor details (like how one of the characters claims that he has learnt first aid and knows how to dress someone's would in an earlier episode but is later said to be totally unskilled in dressing wounds).

Certain parts of the dialogue have been dubbed over. I have read that it is because of censorship, but I can't imagine how the characters could even be saying something that the censors would object to in many of these scenes. Whatever the reason is, the dubbing does affect the viewing experience though not to the extent of making the show unwatchable.

The series is clearly one that could have been great but fails to fully fulfill its potential due to external factors like censorship. It's a pity. Still, the series manages to be quite good despite the unevenness of the second half and is worth a watch.

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Watch it for the chemistry, not for the plot or production

I mean, this was my very first C-drama, bromance one too. I had very little expectations for the series and I loved every second of it. Plus, I am planning to re-watch it so that I can experience the beautiful chemistry of the two leads once more.
Let's be real here: the plot and production value is subpar. It is apparent that the budget was cut halfway through so the CGI is oftentimes horrendeous, there are no extras in certain areas, the props are also cheaply made. Also, this series balances on the very edge of all the issues that are censored in China (BL, magic, ghosts, time travel, etc.). Meaning, the series is very very different from the novel and some things are not really explained to avoid further censorship. One thing I did not understand in the series was how come that Zhao Yunlan is a Guardian.. HOW?! He is just a regular human in the series. Nothing supernatural about him, really.
Some of the dubbing was also quite bad - why were some phrases/voices dubbed?

The best thing about the series are the main actors. They are SO GOOD! The way they portray the BL relationship is amazing and everyone knows that they are not just friends. All the little glances, touches, stares, reactions communicate well that the guys are actually in love with each other.
I completely understand why this drama is so loved but also criticized in terms of the plot development or production. Yet, I think that anyone interested in BL/bromance/censored dramas should check it out.

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One of the best chinese bromance and really funny

Production : Unfortenately, this was a serie with a low budget for the production. What I mean is that for some scene you can see it's really fake and the visuals effects was not the best. Plus, some places were reuse so it was a bit confusing. But overall it was decent.

Story : For the story, it was really good and you don't get really bored because of the multiples cases who last 3 episodes. Plus, the story with the lifes of everyone is interesting.

Acting : OMG ! Their acting performance is perfect. All the actors are good and the CHEMISTRY between Professor Shen and Yun Lan is absolutely beautiful.

I'm sure that without the censorship of China their story would be amazing.

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Okay....so aside from the hokey title this drama was a solid 9. The plot was pretty good, but the cast is where its at. These actors are really really good. They take on their parts, and play them to the end
Even characters that are around for a little while are so good. The effects can be a bit lacking, fake blood is obvious, and its hilarious how many scenes forget to put back the fx but its not super bad. Basically this is about SID, and their ragtag team of protectors. They protect the city from supposed bad guys who come from underground. It's all about perspective, and the shades of grey in life. The end is a little too GM for me, but other than that its good. When I first started this I couldn't tell which way the director was going, but it didn't dissappoint. Either way if you can look past the fx its worth a watch or two.

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